Sri Bala Mukundashtakam Stotram

A deeply mystical experience is described at the end of the Srimad Bhagavatam. This is the last teaching of the Srimad Bhagavatam. The ninth chapter of the 12th skanda explains how the microcosm and the macrocosm are related, as experience. A study of the preceeding and following chapter is useful in understanding this deeply mystical ninth chapter. These three chapters are on the Bhargava Maharishi Markandeya who has a purana on his name and is also credited with the origin/use of the Sri Mrtunjaya Mantra. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markandeya

It is this deeply mystical ninth chapter which is the subject matter and hence the inspiration for the Sri Balamukundashtakam, credited to Leela Suka or Bilwamangalam from ca. 13th century Kerala. He is also credited with starting the use of the greeting in Braj, prevalent to this day: Radhe Radhe.

This mystical experience is extremely difficult to grasp, even at the intellectual, mental and emotional levels.While daily meditation on it is best, daily reminders can be useful. This image of infant Krishna sucking his toe while lying on a banyan leaf, usually in gold, hung on a gold chain, is tied by the groom around the bride's neck, in Hindu weddings of Keralites. Until this is done, the ceremony is incomplete and when this is over, the wedding is not easily undone. The locket is called 'thali', which is also the name of a common flower in Kerala. The 'thali' is equivalent to the 'mangalsutra' in the rest of India, signifying the married status of the woman on whom it lies.

More about Leela Suka and his work is available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Krishna_Karnamrutam

There are several versions of the extremely popular Sri Balamukundashtakam stotram. This video follows the Devanagari version and English translation at: http://www.stutimandal.com/new/poemgen.php?id=8

For an English transliteration and another translation, click on: http://www.celextel.org/stotras/vishnu/balamukundashtakam.html

A flawless rendition is available at: http://www.prapatti.com/slokas/author/s-shankara.html

The images have been downloaded from various websites, including hubblesite.org and krishna.com.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Sanskrit
• hymn
• stotram
• stuti
• Rishi
• Markandeya
• Srimad
• Bhagavatam
• Bilwamangalam
• Leela
• Suka
• Bhargava
• Krishna
• Aatma
• mystic
• Yoga
• Meditation
• Guru
• Mantra
• Peace
• Divine
• India
• Enlightenment

[panic0in0paradise]

i learn so much watching these pictures along with your music -

i purchased a Bansuri recently, and have now decided to learn-Sri Bala Mukundashtaka Stotram-appears doing so will be giving back what has been received in the air of inspiration & life-the cycle is all- the same as learning this Hymn i hear & givingThanks back to Krishna the Elements & Toyam108-outStanding.blessedWo­rk if ive heard any

[toyam108]

@panic0in0paradise yes, the pics are in sync with the words or the message or mood as per availability of pics. yes, each time we really receive, we cannot but give back by sharing.